Massachusetts OKs bill outlawing 'upskirt' photos

BOSTON — Massachusetts lawmakers have approved legislation to crack down on those who secretly take photographs of "the sexual or other intimate parts" of women or children in public.

Thursday's vote came a day after the state's highest court ruled that a man who took cellphone photos up the skirts of female passengers riding the Boston subway didn't violate state law.

The legislation says anyone who tries to photograph another person's sexual or intimate parts without that person's consent would face a maximum penalty of more than two years in jail and a $5,000 fine. The penalty would jump to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine if the victim is under 18.

Distributing such photos of a child is punishable by a $10,000 fine or 10 years in prison.

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